On the 6th of April, 2013, the General Director of “Zaporizhstal” II&SW and the President of the Track and Field Athletics Federation of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of cooperation development, aimed at enhancing sports facilities and supporting athletes in the region.
The Memorandum provides for the creation of the required material-and-technical facilities and appropriate conditions for training in the Indoor Sports Training Ground of JSC “Zaporizhstal”, as well as encouraging and maintaining the leading sportsmen of the region. Besides, the joint programme made by JSC “Zaporizhstal” and Track and Field Athletics Federation of Ukraine includes running competitions of national and international level based on the improved modern track-and-field training ground of JSC “Zaporizhstal”.
“Development of sports and physical training are justifiably included into the number of priorities of our social policy. I’m strongly convinced that the sports victories are required for fortitude maintenance and promotion of an active healthy lifestyle so that sports would become a proper choice for the younger generation,” noted Rostislav Shurma, the General Director of JSC “Zaporizhstal”.
A track-and-field championship dedicated to the 80th anniversary of “Zaporizhstal” II&SW became a milestone of signing the joint Memorandum. Two hundred athletes from all over Ukraine took part in it. The championship was opened by a mass race with the participation of renowned sportsmen, including Mariya Remen’, Olesia Povkh, Alexey Kas’yanov, Anna Gatsko, Anna Mel’nichenko, and Vladimir Burakov.
“Signing the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Track and Field Athletics Federation of Ukraine and 'Zaporizhstal' II&SW is a historic event which marks a cooperation of the ‘Sports Queen’ with one of the leaders of Ukrainian industry. ‘Zaporizhstal’ is known for practicing the principles of social responsibility. This is an enterprise that is able not only to gain something but also to give back,” said Igor Gotsul, the President of TFAFU. He continued, “The bright and spectacular international competitions will become the ‘crown’ of our cooperation. We have very ambitious plans, and now, we can move in the common direction.”
Eugeniy Kartashov, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, stated, “Track-and-field is a hard sport. Only physically strong and strong-in-spirit people can participate in this sport, especially to maintain and develop it. This year, ‘Zaporizhstal’ got off successfully. I’m sure the Works will meet its 80th anniversary at the peak of production and sports form.”
Within the frame of cooperation, “Zaporizhstal” II&SW and the Track and Field Athletics Federation of Ukraine will invest UAH 4 million in 2013, with each contributing UAH 2 million toward the development of the Indoor Sports Training Ground.
Let us remind you that in 2013 “Zaporizhstal” II&SW allotted UAH 8.5 million for sports development and maintenance in the Zaporozhye area. Out of this, UAH 6 million are investments for the allowance and development of the Indoor Sports Training Ground of “Metallurg” SC, UAH 2 million for the allowance and development of the yacht club of JSC “Zaporizhstal”, and UAH 450 thousand for paying monthly scholarships to 9 leading sportsmen of the Zaporozhye region.